October 7, 2011

IREC Announces New Standard for Energy-Related Certificate Programs

Information Webinar to be held 3:00 pm EDT on October 24, 2011 Please join us on Monday, October 24, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) to learn about the purpose, value, and general requirements of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.’s (IREC’s) new Standard for renewable energy and energy efficiency certificate programs. IREC’s new standard does…

Information Webinar to be held 3:00 pm EDT on October 24, 2011

Please join us on Monday, October 24, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) to learn about the purpose, value, and general requirements of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.’s (IREC’s) new Standard for renewable energy and energy efficiency certificate programs.

IREC’s new standard does not replace IREC’s ISPQ 01022 Standard. Rather, it will provide the framework for a specialty accreditation that will raise the bar for training the clean energy workforce. In focusing exclusively on certificate training programs, IREC’s new Standard provides training programs an opportunity to be recognized for meeting a quality standard.

The new IREC Standard describes curriculum, administrative, personnel, facilities, and equipment requirements for credit or non-credit certificate programs training the energy efficiency/weatherization and renewable energy workforce. Assessment to this new Standard will provide third-party verification that certificate programs meet and document educational processes, specific energy content and requirements for design, delivery and assessment for issuance of a market-valued certificate.

The new Standard is currently in draft form with an expected release date for public comment on November 1, 2011.

IREC will be working in partnership with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for joint accreditation to this new Standard. Candidates who are successful in meeting the requirements will be awarded ANSI-IREC accreditation.

Want to find out more? IREC will host a webinar on Monday, October 24, at 3:00 PM EDT to provide an overview of the new IREC Standard. The webinar is complimentary, but you must register to attend. Click here to register.

The webinar will also discuss the upcoming pilot project and opportunity for participation in this pilot.

IREC, a non-profit organization, is the North American administrator for the IREC ISPQ International Standard and is responsible for the full accreditation and certification cycle, including processing applications, assigning registered assessors, awarding credentials, and maintaining all records. The IREC ISPQ award demonstrates that the candidate has met all the requirements of the IREC ISPQ International Standard 01022.